Costa Rica Tours

Costa Rica is primed for outdoor adventure in spectacular natural settings, making it the perfect destination for customized guided tours. With your bilingual private guide, head out into the steamy rainforests alive with bird song—and the calls of monkeys and colorful parrots. Fly over the treetops of a cloud forest on a zip-line, or hike on trails that wind th ...rough tall trees to spot wildlife—look out for the elusive jaguar— and some 30 species of flittering butterflies. Prepare to get wet while whitewater rafting, rappelling down waterfalls, soaking in natural hot springs, paddling in pools and snorkeling at enchanting beaches. Kids are welcome too for safari-style float trips, volcano hikes and more! And when night falls, stroll by moonlight along a wide beach to watch a giant sea turtle laying her eggs in the sand. Then, bed down in a luxury eco-lodge or hotel with awesome views. It’s up to you. Let our experts create the perfect Pura Vida (Good Life) Costa Rica tour for a tailor-made exploration of this friendly eco destination.Show More

Perfect for budding nature-lovers and adventurers, this luxury family tour has it all. Zipline through the jungle and meet exotic animals, make chocolate from scratch, visit active volcanoes, play on golden sandy beaches & much more.

TOP THINGS TO DO

Explore the Osa Peninsula - known as "the most biologically intense place on Earth."

Snorkel or scuba dive with gentle whale sharks and sting rays.

Rejuvenate with volcanic mud baths and face masks.

Trek through lush forest to remote waterfalls.

BEFORE YOU GO

On Your Costa Rica Tour

Unique Experiences

PASSPORTS

VISAS

INSURANCE

VACCINATIONS

MEDICATION

WEATHER, SEASONS & CLIMATE

ELECTRICITY, PHONE & INTERNET

CURRENCY

Quick Facts

Introduction

Unique Travel Experiences in Costa Rica

ACTIVE ADVENTURES

Waterfall Rappelling:

Looking for an adventure in Costa Rica that will really get the blood pumping? There’s no rush quite like exploring a waterfall. Costa Rica is famed for the hundreds of falls that dot the countryside, and a rappelling tour is just about the most exciting way to experience them.

Rafting:

With moderate weather year-round and lush rainforests teeming with life, Costa Rica is a premiere destination for whitewater rafting. Novice rafters will want to start with one of the country’s Class I rapids, which can be navigated in an inner tube or raft and provide the opportunity for sightseeing. More experienced rafters might be ready for Class III or IV rapids, which are steeper, faster, and a bit more dangerous.

Ziplining:

Ziplining is the ideal day tour for visitors to Costa Rica that love sights and staying active. Check out Arenal Volcano Park, which provides a nearly two-mile line that zips right through the jungle. When it comes to seeing everything that Costa Rica has to offer, the sky is no limit.

NATURAL EXCURSIONS

Sea Turtle Nesting:

Sea turtles spend most of their time in the water, where they can dive for hours at a time. In fact, many are likelier to be found hundreds of miles off the coast than they are on dry land. At special times during the year, however, females will lumber back towards the coast to lay their eggs. Those on Costa Rica tours are able to witness this special experience, and to see one of the most rare spectacles in the animal kingdom.

Sharks and Scuba:

The natural wonders of Costa Rica don’t stop at the surface of the water. Put on scuba gear and take the plunge to get up close and personal with exotic marine life, like sting rays, angelfish, moray eels - and even sharks! There are a number of certified tours available for anybody looking for a unique underwater vacation.

Osa Peninsula Rainforest:

Central America is noted for its breathtaking scenery, exemplified by Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula Rainforest. It is a popular tour destination for ecology lovers, with expansive beaches and abundant wildlife. National Geographic once called it one of the most “biologically intense places on Earth”, with its sprawling trees, nimble potbellied monkeys, and prowling jaguars.

INVITING PEOPLE

Blue Zone:

When it comes to Costa Rica, the locals are as much of a draw as the scenery. Its Nicoya peninsula is one of the world’s “blue zones”, areas where people live longer and healthier than anywhere else on the planet. Visit to learn more about the customs and lifestyles that make residents there so likely to live long and full lives.

Making Tortillas:

No excursion is complete without sampling local cuisine. For a truly hands-on experience, try a Costa Rica food tour and tortilla-making workshop. A luxury tour might not be able to last a lifetime (unfortunately!), but the skills that are learned will. Fill those delicious tortillas with local delicacies like Olla de Carne, a hearty stew of beef, potatoes, chayotes, carrots, and plantains.

REST AND RELAXATION

Beautiful Beaches:

For some people, nothing says vacation like warm sand and a cool breeze. Costa Rica has those folks covered with a litany of beautiful beaches. Surfers are well-advised to check out Jaco, which is right near the capital of San Jose. Those looking for something a little more off the beaten path might be interested in Tortuguero, a beach right off the rainforest.

Open Air Spa Experience:

Visiting an open air spa is the height of luxury on any Costa Rica tour. Leave any troubles far, far away, and simply enjoy the gentle ambiance and heartfelt camaraderie. From massages to scrubs, visitors can enjoy any sort of pampering imaginable, all delivered by friendly staff in a gorgeous outdoor setting.

Volcanic Mud Baths:

Complete the Costa Rica spa experience by hopping into one of the country’s famous volcanic mud baths. Local legend has it that not only will the mineral-rich silky sediment improve your skin, it could also help cleanse your very soul.

Passport Requirements for Costa Rica Tours

American and Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended return date in order to enter and depart the country. Tourists must also provide proof of return or onward travel. Each traveler is responsible for ensuring that his/her passport is up to date. Citizens of other nationalities should check with respective authorities before departure.

Please ensure that the name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately.

Please make a photocopy of your passport’s identification page and keep it separate from your original. It’s also a good idea to leave a digital copy with someone at home. This may speed up the replacement process should you lose your passport.

Visa Requirements for Costa Rica Tours

A visa is not required for citizens of the U.S. and Canada for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens from other countries may require a valid visa. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Costa Rica for the most up-to-date visa information.

Insurance Recommendations for Costa Rica Tours

Cancelation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended as it can safeguard against the expenses associated with in-country medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage and emergency cancelation or interruption of your trip. Please ensure your policy will provide you with upfront medical coverage so that you are not responsible for a hefty medical bill. Insurance can be purchased through us.

Vaccination Requirements for Costa Rica Tours

The yellow fever vaccine is only necessary if you are arriving into Costa Rica from one of these countries in Latin America : Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. If you are coming from any other South or North American country, Yellow fever vaccine is not necessary. In accordance with Costa Rican Ministry of Health, please be advised that if applicable, an international Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever is required.

Hepatitis B and C occur. Outbreaks of dengue fever are common in lowland areas, notably on the Caribbean coast. Rabies is widespread throughout Central America; for those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. We recommend consulting the World Health Organization and your physician to help you make decisions about the right vaccinations for your travels. Here is the link to the WHO’s vaccination recommendation info: http://apps.who.int/tools/geoserver/www/ith/index.html

Medication Requirements for Costa Rica Tours

If there are any medical items that are essential to your health, such as prescription drugs or corrective eye wear, bring duplicates and divide them between your checked bags and hand luggage. While non-prescription drugs such as aspirin are generally available, it is difficult to replace prescription items.

Weather, Seasons and Climate in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period and not to the four seasons as in the Northern Hemisphere. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter. The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November. The average temperature is around 21 to 27 degrees Celsius or 70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest and sunniest months are March through May and the coolest months of the year are November, December and January.

Electricity, Phone and Internet in Costa Rica

Electricity in Costa Rica is 110 volts, the same as in North America. But please note that three-pronged plugs are scarce so bring along an adapter if need be. We advise not to bring a hair dryer as it could blow a fuse.

Phone: Keep in mind that GSM phone systems in North America work on different frequencies so you will need to ensure that you purchase a “world” handset. Consult your phone provider prior to departure to discuss the handset required, overseas rates and international package options. It is also possible to purchase international calling cards within Costa Rica to make calls overseas.

Internet: Free Wireless access is available in most tourist areas, airports and hotels. You’ll find Internet cafés in both small and large cities throughout Costa Rica.

Currency in Costa Rica

Generally speaking, we advise bringing 40-60 US dollars per day for spending money per person. Be sure to bring lots of small bills for porters, wait staff and housekeeping (not obligatory and based on your satisfaction). Colon Notes are in denominations of ¢10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ¢100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5. US Dollars are widely accepted and often prices will be indicated in US dollars. Note that traveler's cheques are rarely used.

We recommend that you get local currency from your bank before you leave home or from a bank machine in-country which is much cheaper than an exchange service at the airport or in tourist areas. Your bank card may work, but Visa or MasterCard are more widely accepted.

Quick Facts for a Costa Rica Tour

Capital: San Jose

Language: Spanish

Currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC)

Religion: 76.3% of the population is Roman Catholic

Time Zone: UTC - 6

Electricity: 110 volts

Telephone: Country code for calling you from outside Costa Rica is 506

Calling North America: Dial 00 + 1 and your 10 digit number

Emergency number in Costa Rica: 911

Traveling in Costa Rica

Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica spans just 200 miles. Within that tidy area, however, is a country bursting with active adventures, natural excursions, and locals who couldn’t be more inviting. Costa Rica tours for families have things to do for everybody, whether they want to kick back and relax or amp up the adrenaline. With a record-breaking 2.6 million visitors to the country last year, Costa Rica tours are more popular than ever. Why not check out what all the fuss is about?

See What Our

CLIENTS ARE SAYING

See What Our

CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Alicia H., July 22, 2016
" It was an excellent break from winter in February!
"